GCSE Science command words: describe, explain and evaluate
The first word of the question tells you what kind of answer earns the marks.
What the common command words ask for
- State or give: a short fact, no explanation needed.
- Describe: say what happens, in order, without saying why.
- Explain: say what happens and why, using “because” and the science.
- Compare: give similarities and differences, each tied to the same point.
- Evaluate: give points for and against and reach a judgement.
- Calculate: show the working, then the answer with its unit.
A quick way to check your answer
- Look at the marks: a 3-mark question needs three separate points.
- Use the key terms from the topic, spelled correctly.
- For “explain”, check every sentence links a cause to an effect.
Practise with feedback
PrepAcer marks written answers against the mark points and shows which were met or missed, so you can see exactly what a good answer needs.
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